Stretching an oil delivery (like, forever)

Babalu · 05-26-2008, 08:08 AM

Hi, new here, and an old hand at saving cash. I hope to contribute a few useful ideas, and go away with some.

My last oil delivery was in August, 2007. I was paying for it for the first time, as my mother passed away in May, and I became the homeowner.

The bill was $465, and I was was not pleased paying $2.77 a gallon (a bargain these days). 9 months later, I still have oil using some techniques that were useful, some not.

I turned off the boiler and let the house exist on natural temperatures during the spring, summer and fall. In winter, I kept it down to 55 and used a space heater, which raised my electricity bill way high. But I also heated rooms I was using, and not the whole house.

Taking fewer showers helped. I turned on the boiler when I needed some hot water, and then shut it down.

I washed the pots in cold water, or heated some hot water in the microwave.

I wash my face with microwaved water in the stoppered sink.

The dishwasher makes its own hot water.

There were a few more things I did, but this is basics. Now, I'm waiting for a natural gas conversion. I will spend some money on things that are worthwhile.

Julie Rains · 05-26-2008, 06:06 PM

good ideas -- I have started washing my clothes in cold water (unless the instructions for a fairly nice article of clothing demands otherwise) and have noticed a difference.

lucille · 05-27-2008, 05:33 AM

We wash clothes in cold unless they demand otherwise. We try to get as much as possible into a dishwasher load. We use daylighting to keep the house warm as long as possible.

We are also planning on moving somewhere with less temperature extremes. Heating a home for 3 months of sub zero weather with high winds is quite an expense.

Babalu · 05-28-2008, 05:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lucille

We are also planning on moving somewhere with less temperature extremes. Heating a home for 3 months of sub zero weather with high winds is quite an expense.

My ways aren't perfect; there was a very serious draft coming from an air leak downstairs, and if you stood next to it during cold weather it felt like air conditioning. This existed all winter, and I had it sealed this spring. Cost about $500 for a top contractor to fix it right, and I should have fixed this earlier. See, I do spend money when the trade-off saves some.

I had no idea before the oil burner was turned off that the dishwasher makes hot water if it needs it.

I'm waiting for a natural gas changeover; the company that does the install is very slow due to high demand, and still letting the last oil delivery last me until it's done. If I run out of oil before they come, I won't get an oil delivery. Rather, I will buy a one month health club membership and shower there.

Keep away from me with your oil spigot, ya hear?!

Babalu · 06-02-2008, 09:43 AM

My heating conversion to natural gas will commence on 6/6. Oh, well.

I stretched the delivery 9 months and almost 2 weeks. Hopefully, natural gas will be cheaper than oil. They already promise it's greener, and I get a rebate from the state.

Believe it or not, I still have lotsa hot water.

Babalu · 06-04-2008, 03:34 AM

Today, the burner's red light was on and I FINALLY ran out of oil. Good to the last drop.

05-26-2008, 08:08 AM	#1
Babalu Junior Member Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 6 Reputation: (10)	Stretching an oil delivery (like, forever) Hi, new here, and an old hand at saving cash. I hope to contribute a few useful ideas, and go away with some. My last oil delivery was in August, 2007. I was paying for it for the first time, as my mother passed away in May, and I became the homeowner. The bill was $465, and I was was not pleased paying $2.77 a gallon (a bargain these days). 9 months later, I still have oil using some techniques that were useful, some not. I turned off the boiler and let the house exist on natural temperatures during the spring, summer and fall. In winter, I kept it down to 55 and used a space heater, which raised my electricity bill way high. But I also heated rooms I was using, and not the whole house. Taking fewer showers helped. I turned on the boiler when I needed some hot water, and then shut it down. I washed the pots in cold water, or heated some hot water in the microwave. I wash my face with microwaved water in the stoppered sink. The dishwasher makes its own hot water. There were a few more things I did, but this is basics. Now, I'm waiting for a natural gas conversion. I will spend some money on things that are worthwhile.

05-26-2008, 06:06 PM	#2
Julie Rains Wise Bread Blogger Join Date: May 2007 Location: North Carolina Posts: 287 Reputation: (111)	good ideas -- I have started washing my clothes in cold water (unless the instructions for a fairly nice article of clothing demands otherwise) and have noticed a difference. __________________ Wise Bread and Parenting Squad blogger

05-27-2008, 05:33 AM	#3
lucille Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 510 Reputation: (33)	We wash clothes in cold unless they demand otherwise. We try to get as much as possible into a dishwasher load. We use daylighting to keep the house warm as long as possible. We are also planning on moving somewhere with less temperature extremes. Heating a home for 3 months of sub zero weather with high winds is quite an expense. __________________ Dark Style Blog http://darkstyleblog.blogspot.com/

06-02-2008, 09:43 AM	#5
Babalu Junior Member Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 6 Reputation: (10)	It's over My heating conversion to natural gas will commence on 6/6. Oh, well. I stretched the delivery 9 months and almost 2 weeks. Hopefully, natural gas will be cheaper than oil. They already promise it's greener, and I get a rebate from the state. Believe it or not, I still have lotsa hot water.

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06-04-2008, 03:34 AM	#6
Babalu Junior Member Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 6 Reputation: (10)	Today, the burner's red light was on and I FINALLY ran out of oil. Good to the last drop.